[Red eye and visual impairment two months after esophageal resection with complicated postoperative course]

A patient with a red, painful eye and gradual visual impairment is examined ophthalmologically. Culture of the vitreal aspirate yields Candida tropicalis. Subsequent medical evaluation reveals that during an acute hospitalization eight weeks prior positive blood cultures for Candida had been reported but not acted on, despite a high risk constellation of operative therapy, intensive care unit treatment, central catheters, parenteral nutrition and broad spectrum antibiotics. Diagnosis and treatment of candidemia with a focus on candida endophthalmitis is discussed.